NEWSNOTES | July 6, 2022
News Notes

The buzz is starting to build around the massive transportation logistics required in advance of the 2028 Olympics to be held in Los Angeles. Organizers want to say no to cars preferring to rely on transit, walking or biking. How that works is the topic of much conversation ranging from proposals for funds from President Biden’s $1-trillion infrastructure law to new protected bike lanes and more bike-sharing programs.

If you have been trying to get a handle on the funding available for the infrastructure law grant programs, the U.S. Department of Transportation has laid out the list for all grant programs authorized under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The list, which includes five-year totals for all grants authorized under the law is available here. A recent White House fact sheet shows how the administration has catalyzed private investment to boost EV charging manufacturing capacity. Clean Technica identifies Siemens, ABB, ChargePoint and Tesla as some of the private companies that have stepped up.

As of this month, U. S. school districts and fleet operators have committed to 12,275 electric school buses in thirty-eight states, according to the World Resources Institute. Part of the impetus for the growth in adoption is an announcement made by SEA Electric and bus dealer Midwest Transit Equipment to update 10,000 school buses with battery electric power systems over the next five years. The EPA Clean School Bus Program will provide $5 billion over five years for clean school buses. Highland Electric Fleets, in partnership with the Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland has gained much recognition for their game-changing, full-service subscription model. You can read about how it works here. Zeem Solutions is yet another success story allowing fleet operators to overcome obstacles to EV adoption.

Zeem Solutions announced today that they have received a $50 million capital investment from ArcLight Capital Partners. Zeem is a Fleet-as-a-Service company. For a monthly fee, their customers get access to battery-electric trucks, vans, and shuttles buses; charging stations; and service and maintenance.

Rivian is announcing large numbers, too, saying that they plan to build 25,000 of their electric vehicle pickup trucks in 2022. The company delivered 4,467 electric trucks and SUVs in the second quarter of this year.

Kudos to Xos Inc. which has delivered fifty-eight of its 100% battery-electric step vans to locations in California and New Hampshire. Last year Merchants Fleet committed to ordering 40,000 EVs to meet the goal of having 50% of their Mobility fleet electric by 2025 and 50 percent of their clients’ fleets electric by 2030. It is time to look at a new twist on electric trucks and all that jazz. Electrek showcases an “awesomely weird Alibaba EV of the week in the form of an electric truck that puts the flat in flatbed. This is a giant flatbed truck, loved so much by the author of the article that that he opined, “…if electric trucks are cool these days, then with one of these, you’ll be Miles Davis.”

RESOURCES

2028 Olympics Could Fuel a Transit Boom in LA, Mass Transit | https://bit.ly/3RgTaou

 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Grant Programs, U.S. Department of Transportation | https://bit.ly/3afMXZD

 Tesla Boosting EV Charging Manufacturing Capacity, Clean Technica | https://bit.ly/3RgUcAS

 Here’s Where US Electric School Bus Adoption Stands, electrek | https://bit.ly/3NIBbEx

 Zeem Solutions Secures $50 Million Capital Investment, Bakersfield.com | https://bit.ly/3AtRPF2

 Rivian On Track to Build 25,000 Vehicle in 2022, CNBC | https://cnb.cx/3RrCtqT

 Merchants Fleet Adds 58 Xos Vans to Several Locations, NGT News | https://bit.ly/3RicIcb

 The Miles Davis of Electric Trucks, electrek | https://bit.ly/3P6PjbP